Latest dispatches

Why I’m Setting This Barrel On Fire 🔥

Thanks Toneleria Antonio Paez in Jerez, Andalusia, Spain for showing us the hard work behind skilfully made wooden barrels and explaining the perfect seasoning with Sherry wines. Below is a barrel getting heat treated to allow further shaping and bending of the staves you see. #whisky #sherry #px #oloroso #barrel

Vodka didn’t start neutral — industry made it that way

Vodka didn't start neutral. That's a marketing era, not a history. For centuries, grain spirits in Poland and Russia were full of character — funky, herby, spiced, fruity, infused with whatever grew locally. Bison grass. Black currant. Pepper. Honey. Pot stills left flavor in the spirit because there was no way to remove it yet. The flavorless vodka we know today? That came with industrial distillation in the 1800s — rectification technology that could strip a spirit of basically everything. Eff

100,000 subscribers. A YouTube Silver Plaque. And a feeling I still can’t quite put into words.

100,000 subscribers. A YouTube Silver Plaque. And a feeling I still can’t quite put into words. First and foremost, thank you YouTube for giving a Retired Army dude the space to turn a genuine passion into something real. None of this would have happened without @Yoelkamara who filmed and edited nearly every one of my episodes. This plaque belongs to you just as much as it does to me. I wouldn’t be here without you. To every single one of you who’s watched, shared, commented, and supported since

Inside San Francisco’s Legendary Irish Coffee Bar

The Buena Vista is a historic San Francisco cafe, famous for introducing Irish coffee to America in 1952, and is located near Fisherman's Wharf. Opened in 1916, it's known for its classic American food, cozy atmosphere, and signature Irish coffee, which it perfected with the help of a travel writer. It's a popular spot for both tourists and locals, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a historic setting. Signature Drink: The cafe is credited with popularizing Irish coffee in the United State

A Must Visit Whisky Destination In Sweden: High Coast Distillery #sweden #distillery #travel

Mezcal”s Big Problem.

Mezcal is heading in a direction I've been worried about for years. Over the last decade production has surged. Wild agave is being over-harvested. Monoculture plantations are expanding. The same thing that happened to Tequila is starting to happen to Mezcal. The wild agave varieties that give Mezcal its extraordinary range of flavors, the terroir, the genetic diversity, are at risk. I filmed this episode because I believe the spirits worth preserving are the ones that honor the land they come f

How To Choose a Vodka Worth Buying — Where To Start

Most people grab what they recognize at the liquor store. But there's a better way to choose a vodka worth drinking. In this episode of Shots Fired and Poured — Tatiana Petrakova breaks down exactly where to start and what to look for when buying vodka. No fluff. No brand loyalty. No recommendations based on marketing budgets. Just honest guidance from someone who knows what's in the glass and why it matters. Whether you're new to spirits or just tired of buying the same bottle out of habit — th

Everyone Said Peruvian Food Was Amazing. I Had To Find Out Why.

Everyone told me Peruvian food was amazing. I thought they were exaggerating. They weren't even close. The more I tasted the more I kept asking the same question, what is the story behind Peruvian food? What's behind the flavor? The same ingredients that shape a glass show up on the plate. The food here isn't just flavorful, it's how people connect, heal, and remember. What I found goes deeper than any restaurant award or Michelin star. Full episode on my YouTube channel Thanks for Watching! ***

Drink Destinations: Stockholm! A new series by Jeff Bradford

Excited to start editing the new series, Drink Destinations: Sweden! Over the past three weeks, I’ve had an incredible time filming in Stockholm, exploring the city’s vibrant cocktail scene. A huge thanks to my guide for the episode Bella Porcile & all the amazing bars and talented bartenders who made this journey unforgettable! As I wrap up filming next week, I can’t wait to share the hidden gems and top spots I’ve discovered. From classic cocktails to innovative creations. Stay tuned for the e

Pursue The Unfamiliar: Peru Teaser

I started Pursue the Unfamiliar because I wanted to share more than drinks and how they’re made around the world—I wanted to share the culture, the landscape, and the people behind them. What I’ve learned traveling is that we can be from completely different places, speak different languages, but when you put a drink at the center of the conversation, walls come down. Phones get put down. You start talking about family, work, pride, struggle, celebration, and what you ultimately believe in—and y

This Seafood Dish Just Got UNESCO Status

I've traveled all over this world and I'll tell you when Peru got their ceviche recognized by UNESCO in December 2023 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, it hit different for me because I've seen firsthand what goes into this dish. This isn't just food on a plate. It's fishermen up before sunrise pulling fresh catch off the Pacific coast, farmers growing the limes and chili that make it come alive, and traditional cooks who've been perfecting this for generations. Here's what most pe

Before the Kitchen. Before the Chef. This Is Where Peruvian Food Begins

Everyone's talking about Peruvian food. The best restaurants in the world. The chefs. The accolades. But here's what nobody talks about. It starts before the kitchen. Before the chef. Before the plate. It starts with hands reaching into cold water, in the dirt, on the farms, before the sun comes up. I sat with Orlando at Nuestro Bistró in Barranco, right in the middle of one of the most celebrated food scenes in the world — and asked him why Peruvian food is where it is right now. His answer sto

Peruvian Food Explained: The Culture, History & Ingredients Behind Every Dish

Most people know Peru for ceviche. Few people understand why Peruvian food is the way it is. In this episode of Pursue the Unfamiliar, I sit down with the chefs and producers who actually make it — at fish markets, in kitchens, and around tables — to understand the culture, history, and ingredients that make Peruvian cuisine unlike anything else in the world. What you'll discover: — How five waves of immigration shaped every dish on the table — Why Peru has more native potato varieties than anyw

"Cheap alcohol kills people.” Do you agree?

In this episode, Dr. David Nutt—Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London and chair of Drug Science—breaks down the science of what alcohol is doing to your brain (including its effects on the GABA system) and why “cheap alcohol” can translate into real-world harm at a population level. We also talk about where policy, pricing, and personal responsibility collide—and what a “better alternative” could look like, including his work with SENTIA Spirits. Questio

What is Walled Garden Gin?

I was honored to film a video for @gordoncastle1 about their Gin. Walking around with my camera, capturing this incredible place, I realized quickly—this isn’t just a garden. It’s cultivated elegance, rooted in history. It’s Angus and Zara Gordon and their crew, working with quiet passion to breathe life into every inch of this estate. I kept saying to myself while filming that this is the same soil that once fed The 5th Duke of Gordon who proposed and help enact the Excise Act of 1823, effectiv